About
Children who have been coming to me for the past 15 years, tell their parents how much fun they had with Ms. Cathy. They are so excited to renew a second and third session with me. I love helping children go from fear to faith in the water. I love seeing their happy faces as they show their parents a new move or that they can jump off the diving board and swim all the way across the pool. This is why my passion for healthy children in the water stands out.
I have been working with a daycare that has been coming to me for 15 years. Every summer, I have some of the same children from the year before, because they have so much fun in the pool with myself, my lifeguard, and the director. They look forward to accomplishing more and more each summer.
Highlights
Specialties
Access to pool
Goals
Comfortable in water
Experience level
Student age(s)
Lessons length
Photos and videos
Reviews
Joel L.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I treat each new student with kindness and compassion. I coach others as I would want someone to coach my own children. I am very thorough in explaining my lesson plans. I begin with getting them comfortable in the water, with their body, then their face. My lessons include front crawl, back float, elementary back stroke, and emergency techniques of getting in and out of a pool safely. My pool toys are fun and child friendly.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an Associate's of Arts in Physical Education from Tyler Jr. College. I am a Licensed Sports Massage Therapist. I am USA SWIM COACH certified. My aquatic training came from my own Father and Dr. Joel Bloom, of the University of Houston.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$40 per lesson, with a 12 lesson committment. I prefer to work with the student three times a week, for 4 weeks. These lessons are 45 minutes in length with a small group.
My private lesson fee is $50 per lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
My first impressions of teaching came from my parents. Both parents were educators as I grew up in El Paso, Texas and Houston, Texas. I come from a long line of educators, principals, and judges. I taught for Pasadena ISD for 17 years as a long term substiute teacher. I have coached for over 25 years in the areas of fitness - dry land as well as aquatics.
What types of students have you worked with?
The types of students I have worked with, range from athletic to autistic. I coached a 17 year old young man, who had a stroke as a 7 year old and was determined to swim well with his left side impaired. He walked with a limp and had no reach with his left arm. After several weeks of training, I took this young man from total fear of the water to diving off the board, and swimming the freestyle and backstroke. His Father cried when he saw his precious son swim and all that he had to do to fight back fear and allow his courage to surface.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
The event I just described in the previous question, with the 17 year old young adult, is the most profound and satisfying events of my life.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
The advice I would give a student looking for a great coach, is to check the references, credentials, and have a personal interview.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Questions should include past experiences in the water. A coach would want to know what fears are present. What kind of fitness goals are desired? There is no wrong question. All questions welcome.